Quite a group was in the car park and once the red ride had gone we were down to a healthy six. Well I hid all my ailments and I noticed someone with a cough and another limping but they don’t count.
We welcomed back Lesley especially as she persuaded Christina to get out of bed and come with us. Also rode were, well, me, Dave, John and Mike. The weather was OK forecast was for thunder and lightning but I suspect none of our group knew that!
We set off for a little rest by the traffic lights then on to Harworth, Serlby and Ranskill. There was the nearest hint of moisture in the air but those who worry already had rain jackets on. It wasn’t until the downpour started somewhere after Mattersey that we pulled up under a tree for a prolonged chat (and get our rain jackets on if not on already).
We soldiered in through Sutton and paused again at the main Retford Road. The discussion centred on the idea of a dry seat in the 10 Green Bottles v a bench in Clumber park. Retford won so we turned left.
A little further on and much more drizzle sorry rain and a little voice mentioned (by way of education) that there was a nice cafe at the Idle Valley nature reserve. As one two voices shouted “left” which is how we ended up there; and I admit one of them was mine!
We enjoyed the drinks and cakes and watched the rain stop before setting off again. To make it a better ride we couldn’t go straight home and went on to Retford out on the straight mile then north on the Green Mile.
It was here we had a catastrophe! In a rural kind of way. Once the offending dry leaf was removed from between the brake pad and wheel Christina was good to go again.
We turned left x2 in Barnby Moor and headed for Blyth and then passed the old Charnwood Hotel and on to Oldcotes. Mike and Christina left us to headed towards Maltby and the rest of us made it safely back to Tickhill.
A good blue ride, very social and I hope for more of the same.
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